Griffin Damron
English 8-3
3 April 2010 WHO WERE THEATRE-GOERS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND? WHAT WAS AN AUDIENCE LIKE IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND? WHAT WAS A THEATRE-GOING EXPERIENCE LIKE FOR NOBILITY, MERCHANTCLASS, AND COMMONERS?
The theater was a very popular form of entertainment in Elizabethan England and it attracted a very diverse audience. As much as three thousand people would journey to watch any given play. Members of all classes from royalty to commoners had a place in the audience. Anna Claybourne discusses in her book The Usborne World of Shakespeare that foreign traders and tourists were always sure to stop for a show during their visits to London (11). Admissions were usually one
The Modern Day Globe Theater
penny. Most common people could afford a ticket, but the poor would often times lack enough money to attend every show (Claybourne 11). More expensive tickets could be obtained for about sixpence, these were only purchased by the richest of merchants and nobles. If one invested in a ticket for a penny they would earn themselves a spot to stand in the yard around three sides of the stage. In his book Shakespeare, on page forty four, Peter Chrisp talks about how the vast majority of the people found on the ground were farmers, seamstresses, soldiers, sailors, apprentices, and servants. These people were dubbed "groundlings" by the richer members of the audience. "Scarecrows" and "stinkards" were other common names given to these people, due to their shabby appearances and horrible stench (Chrisp 44). Many people claimed that the groundlings smelled of onions and garlic. Groundlings stood upon a carpet of hazelnut shells; hazel nut shells mixed with ash would keep the ground dry in wet weather (Chrisp 44). For an extra penny you would earn a spot in the gallery. The gallery was sort of like balconies in modern day theaters, and it was usually inhabited by foreign tourists, lawyers, and merchants. People who had enough money would purchase a seat in the gentlemen's room next to the stage. In the gentlemen's room rich noblemen could show off their fancy clothes and sit on soft cushioned seats. Thievery was prevalent among the ranks of audience members. Stealing from people in the yard was a very easy task to accomplish, and more ambitious thieves would dress as gentlemen and venture into the gallery where they would hone their pick pocketing skills (Chrisp 44). Gail Stewart talks about how Elizabethans did not care much for suitable plots, they would go only for loud exciting speeches and plenty of action in his book Life in Elizabethan London (89). Fight scenes were among the most favored. Audiences had such a love for blood in drama that theater owners would purchase blood and sheep entrails from butchers to be used as props during sword fights (Stewart 89). It was not unusual for audience members to eat fruit during performances. Women with baskets of apples and pears would circulate through the playgoers in search of hungry patrons to sell their commodities to, these women were known as apple wives (Chrisp 44). It was common for audience members to purchase fruit to eat during performances, and apples were bought as gifts for noblewomen. Fruit would also be invested in to be used as ammunition. Audience behavior was not on par with what it is today, goundlings would often hurl food and insults alike at actors they did not enjoy (Claybourne 11). Members of the audience would shout and jeer at actors and some would even climb onto the stage and join in with sword fights. It was not uncommon for riots and fights to break out among the groundlings, and when they did not even the actors on stage were safe. In Elizabethan England the theater was the place to be, and people from all walks of life found themselves going to enjoy a good play whenever they had the chance.
Works Cited Boyce, Charles. Shakespeare. New York: Round Table Press, 1990. Print.
Chrisp, Peter. Shakespeare. 1st. 1. New York City, New York: Eyewitness Books, 2002. 44-45. Print. Claybourne, Anna. The Usborne World of Shakespeare. 1st. 1. London, England: Usborne, 2001. 11- 12. Print.
Stewart, Gail. Life in Elizabethan London. 1st. 1. Cleveland, Ohio: Lucent Books, 2003. 89. Print.
English 8-3
3 April 2010
WHO WERE THEATRE-GOERS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND? WHAT WAS AN AUDIENCE LIKE IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND? WHAT WAS A THEATRE-GOING EXPERIENCE LIKE FOR NOBILITY, MERCHANT CLASS, AND COMMONERS?
The theater was a very popular form of entertainment in Elizabethan England and it attracted a very diverse audience. As much as three thousand people would journey to watch any given play. Members of all classes from royalty to commoners had a place in the audience. Anna Claybourne discusses in her book The Usborne World of Shakespeare that foreign traders and tourists were always sure to stop for a show during their visits to London (11). Admissions were usually one
Works Cited
Boyce, Charles. Shakespeare. New York: Round Table Press, 1990. Print.
Chrisp, Peter. Shakespeare. 1st. 1. New York City, New York: Eyewitness Books, 2002. 44-45. Print.
Claybourne, Anna. The Usborne World of Shakespeare. 1st. 1. London, England: Usborne, 2001. 11- 12. Print.
Stewart, Gail. Life in Elizabethan London. 1st. 1. Cleveland, Ohio: Lucent Books, 2003. 89. Print.